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Saturday, October 1, 2016

PPM Data – Part Four. September 2016 ratings information

PPM Data – Part Four. September 2016 ratings information has been released for Austin, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Providence, Raleigh, Norfolk, Nashville, Greensboro, West Palm Beach, Jacksonville, Memphis, and Hartford. Nielsen Audio's September 2016 survey period covered August 11- September 7. RadioInfo managing editor Mike Kinosian(Kinosian@RadioInfo.com) provides his "Takeaways" from all 12 of these PPM-markets.

TWELVE TAKEAWAYS

1) Austin – Without an increase the last four sweeps for a -.8 (5.1 – 4.7 – 4.5 – 4.5 – 4.3, 6+), Entercom adult contemporary KKMJ gains it all back (5.1, +.8, 6+) as "Majic 95.5" zooms from #9 to a three-way tie at #5. Also improving by eight-tenths (2.9 – 3.7, #13 to #11, 6+) is Univision Radio regional Mexican KLQB "Que Buena 104.3," which has its best 6+-stat since "Holiday" 2015 (3.9). Although unchanged at #20, cluster-mate KLJA "107.7 Mas Variedad" notches a +.2 to 1.4 (6+), thus curtailing four successive declines producing a -1.9, or roughly 60% of its 6+ share (3.1 – 2.3 – 1.8 – 1.7 – 1.2, 6+). Following three successive negative trends that yielded a -.8 (4.5 – 4.0 – 3.9 – 3.7, 6+), iHeartMedia rhythmic CHR WPEZ "102.3 The Beat" dials up a +.7 to 4.4 (6+) and enters the top ten (#11 to #10). By gaining four-tenths in June, Emmis adult hits KBPA halted three successive downward trends that produced a combined -1.3 (9.4 – 9.1 – 8.6 – 8.1, 6+). "Bob" regressed by -.5 in July; rebounded with a +1.1 in August; but declines -.8 in September (8.1 – 8.5 – 8.0 – 9.1 – 8.3, 6+). Nonetheless, "Bob" is on top for the ninth consecutive time. Also off by eight-tenths is co-owned KLBJ-FM "93.7 The Rock of Austin" (5.5 – 4.7, 6+), which tumbles from fourth to eighth. Up by a combined two full-shares in July and August (6.7 – 8.7, 6+), University of Texasat Austin-owned KUT flounders by 45% of that increase to 7.8 (-.9, 6+) but remains in the runner-up slot for the fifth time in a row. Prior to August, the last time KUT crossed the eight-share barrier (6+) was February 2011 when it reached 8.5.

2) Milwaukee – Off in back-to-back monthlies by six-tenths (6.0 – 5.6 – 5.4, 6+), iHeartMedia urban contemporary WKKV more than erases that deficit with a +.9 to 6.3 (6+) as "V-100.7 Jams" elevates from #7 to a tie at #3. Bouncing back from a one-half share decline in August, CHR sibling WRNW "97-3 Now" flashes a +.8 (3.6 – 3.1 – 3.9, 6+), climbing from #14 to #12. Remaining in that iHM cluster, WMIL (steady at #5) posts a +.2 to 5.9 (6+), halting three consecutive times it was without an increase for a cumulative -.9 (6.6 – 6.6 – 6.3 – 5.7, 6+); 5.7 was the lowest 6+-share for "FM 106.1 Milwaukee's Best Country" since the "Holiday" 2015 report (5.4). Unchanged at #11, Saga Communications' urban AC WJMR "Jammin' 98.3 Today's R&B and Old School" tacks on seven tenths to the one-half share it gained in August (3.6 – 4.1 – 4.8, 6+). The last six fluctuations for "Jammin' are +.7 (April); +.5 (May); -.6 (June); -.8 (July); +.5 (August); and +.7 (September) for a net of +1.0. Positive or flat for the fourth straight time (1.8 – 1.8 – 2.1 – 2.5 – 3.0, 6+), University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's WUWM (#15 to #14) is +1.2 since May. Speaking of "May," this is the first time WUWM has crossed the three-share level (6+) since May 2014 when it hit 3.2. Even though it takes a spike of -.6 to 8.7 (6+), iHeartMedia classic hits-oldies WRIT "95.7 Big FM – Milwaukee's Greatest Hits" occupies the market's top spot for the 18th straight sweep. Similar to Saga's "Jammin," "Big FM" is no stranger to wild month-to-month shifts. They include +1.7 (October); -.7 (November); +5.6 ("Holiday" 2015); -5.7 (January); +1.3 (February); +1.1 (April); -.6 (May); -1.1 (August) and now -.6 (September). Co-owned talker WISN surrenders one full-share of the robust +1.2 it garnered in August (4.9 – 6.1 – 5.1, 6+) as it slides from fourth to seventh. With a +.3 in July, WISN curtailed four straight declines that accounted for a combined -2.1 (6.7 – 6.0 – 5.7 – 5.5 – 4.6, 6+). Fellow talk outlet, Scripps-owned WTMJ, relinquishes the entire one-half share it gained in August (plus one-tenth, -.6 to 6.3, 6+) as it segues from second to third. With its +.5 in August, the flagship of the Milwaukee Brewers stopped three straight (modest) dips (6.8 – 6.7 – 6.6 – 6.4, 6+). Also down by six-tenths are co-owned WKTI "94.5 KTI Country" (2.8, #13 to #15, 6+) and Saga Communications' WJYI "Today's Christian Joy" (.9 – .3, #21, 6+). "94.5 KTI Country" had been positive or flat the past four sweeps (2.6 – 2.9 – 3.0 – 3.0 – 3.4, 6+).

3) Indianapolis – One-half share separates the market's top three rankers. With a +.2 in August, Emmis adult contemporary WYXB ended three straight declines (7.1 – 6.6 – 6.5 – 6.4, 6+). Tacking on an additional seven-tenths (6.6 – 7.3, 6+), "Soft Rock B-105.7" inches up from fourth to third. It is the strongest 6+-share for "B-105.7" since February (7.6). In the country arena, Cumulus Media's WFMS "95.5 The Country Station" registers its third successive positive trend (5.3 – 5.6 – 5.7 – 6.0, 6+), reaching the six-share level (6+) for the first time since January 2015 (6.3), while Emmis' WLHK "Country 97.1 Hank FM" is without an increase for the fourth time in a row (6.3 – 5.3 – 5.1 – 4.7 – 4.7, 6+). "The Country Station" and "Hank" remain at fifth and eighth, respectively. Up or flat for a combined +1.5 in four straight sweeps (6.4 – 6.7 – 6.8 – 7.9 – 7.9, 6+), WZPL lost three-tenths in August, slipping from first (where it was in June and July) to second. Not only does the Entercom CHR pick up two-tenths (7.6 – 7.8, 6+), it regains the top spot from Radio One urban AC WTLC-FM "Indy's R&B Leader," which erodes by -1.2 to 6.5 (6+) and drifts to fourth. In August, "Indy's R&B Leader" notched a +.6 to 7.7, its best 6+-share since November 2015's 8.2. Off by seven-tenths to 2.5 – its lowest 6+-stat since December 2014's 1.7 – Cumulus Media urban-rhythmic oldies WRWM "93.9 The Beat" falls from #13 to #14. As a result of an August gain of one-tenth, "The Beat" brought to an end four successive down or flat sweeps (3.5 – 3.4 – 3.4 – 3.3 – 3.1, 6+).

4) Providence – Enjoying gains of six-tenths each are Cumulus Media mainstream CHR WPRO-FM "Today's Hit Music" (8.5 – 9.1, 6+) and Hall Communications' WCTK "Cat Country 98.1" (7.0 – 7.6, 6+). The stations are unchanged at #2 and #4, respectively. This is the best 6+-stat for "Today's Hit Music" since February (also 9.1). After three successive gains that yielded a cumulative+1.2 (7.0 – 7.2 – 7.5 – 8.2, 6+), "Cat Country 98.1" returned all of it in August with a -1.2; July's 8.2 was the best 6+-performance for "Cat Country" since last September's 8.9. Following three successive declines (9.2 – 8.9 – 8.7 – 8.4, 6+), iHeartMedia-owned WHJY "Providence's Home of Rock and Roll" adds one-tenth to 8.5 (6+) and carries on at #3. Climbing from ninth to eighth, Entercom sports outlet WVEI (2.7, +.3, 6+) halts three straight declines that yielded a -1.1 (3.5 – 3.1 – 2.6 – 2.4, 6+). Over the course of six straight up or flat trends (.3 – .4 – .5 – .5 – .6 – .8 – .8, 6+) public WELH (steady at #11) nearly triples its 6+-stat. In addition to notching its third straight (modest) increase for a combined gain of one-half share (9.4 – 9.6 – 9.7 – 9.9, 6+), Cumulus Media adult contemporary WWLI "Lite Rock 105" is #1 for the eleventh successive ratings period. A +.2 in July put an end to three consecutive downward trends totaling -2.7 (12.1 – 10.6 – 10.3 – 9.4, 6+); 9.4 in June was the lowest 6+-share for "Lite Rock" since November's 8.7. A decline of one-half share takes talk cluster-mate WPRO-AM (steady at #7) to 4.1, its weakest 6+-showing since "Holiday" 2013 (4.0), while co-owned similarly formatted WPRV (#13 to #12) is up for the fourth straight time (.2 – .3 – .4 – .5 – .7, 6+), more than tripling its 6+-share. At 2.6 (6+) for the fourth successive report, rhythmic CHR sibling WWKX "Hot 106.3" moves from eighth to ninth.

5) Raleigh – The seesaw continues for iHeartMedia CHR WDCG, which is +.6 in July; -.6 in August; and now a whopping +1.3 in September (7.0 – 7.6 – 7.0 – 8.3, 6+), as "G-105" marches from fourth to second. It has been more than four years (8.4, July 2012) since "G-105" reached the eight-share level (6+). In back-to-back sweeps (April – May – May – June), "G-105" was off by a combined seven-tenths (7.7 – 7.2 – 7.0, 6+). Three-tenths ahead of it at #1 is Capitol Broadcasting adult contemporary WRAL "Mix 101.5," which dials up a +.9 to advance from #2 (7.7 – 8.6, 6+). Recent hefty monthly (6+) swings for "Mix" include +.5 October – November; +.6 November – December; +5.7 December – Holiday; -7.2 "Holiday" – January; +.6 January – February; +.6 February – March; -.6 March – April; +.5 April – May; +.5 June – July; and +.9 August – September. Departing the penthouse after four sweeps is Radio One urban AC WFXC "Foxy" (8.1 – 7.5, -.6, first to fourth, 6+). A +1.5 in May propelled "Foxy" from fourth to first and it remained there in June. "Foxy" was then deadlocked for the top spot in July with "Mix." Showing a positive trend for the third time in a row netting a +1.2 (3.6 – 3.7 – 4.1 – 4.8, 6+), Curtis Media Group adult hits WBBB "Radio 96.1" jumps from tenth to seventh with its finest 6+-showing since November 2015 (5.2). Owing to a +.5 to 3.1 (6+), Capitol Broadcasting sports outlet WCMC "The Fan" (#15 to #14) halts five straight downward trends accounting for -2.3 or roughly -47% of its 6+-share (4.9 – 4.4 – 3.7 – 3.5 – 2.8 – 2.6, 6+). Surrendering all but one-tenth of the combined +1.3 it recorded in July and August (5.0 – 5.5 – 6.3, 6+), iHeartMedia FM talker WTKK (5.1, -1.2, 6+) drops from fifth to sixth. As a result of adding four-tenths in June, WTKK curtailed three straight downward trends which yielded a cumulative -1.2 (5.8 – 5.3 – 4.8 – 4.6, 6+). After increasing by six-tenths in August, Curtis Media Group's WPTK "Just Right Radio" coughs up seven-tenths (1.1 – 1.7 – 1.0, 6+) to slide from #18 to #19. This represents the third consecutive decline (-1.6 total) for Radio One urban contemporary WQOK "K-97.5" (6.3 – 5.7 – 5.2 – 4.7, 6+), which slips from seventh to ninth. Entering the July sweep, "K-97.5" was without a decrease in five straight ratings periods for a cumulative +1.5 (4.8 – 5.5 – 6.0 – 6.0 – 6.3 – 6.3, 6+). Also regressing by one-half share and departing the top ten (#10 to #12) is Curtis Media Group CHR WPLW "Pulse FM" (4.1 – 3.6, 6+), which had been in the four-share range (6+) the past 11 monthlies.

6) Norfolk – In 2.5 – 2.9 territory (6+) March through August, Entercom hot AC WPTE improves by six-tenths to 3.1, the best 6+-share for "94.9 The Point – The Sound of Now" since February (3.3). Also up six-tenths is Saga Communications' WNOR "FM 99" (5.1 – 5.7, 6+), which rises from fourth to third. Off by two-tenths (6+) in both June and July, WVKL "Smooth R&B From Yesterday & Today" rebounded in August with a +.7 and now adds two-tenths (11.8 – 12.5 – 12.7, 6+). The Entercom urban AC is #1 for the 52nd consecutive ratings period and has its strongest 6+-share since December 2015's 13.0. The last time "Smooth R&B From Yesterday & Today" was not in double-digits (6+) was when it registered a 9.8 in January 2014. This marks the ninth straight time that iHeartMedia urban contemporary WOWI trails WVKL in the runner-up slot; however, after August's +.6, "Jamz 103" now drops seven-tenths (6.7 – 7.3 6.6, 6+). In June, WOWI was -1.3 to 6.3, the first time it had been below a seven-share (6+) since April 2014 (6.8). Rhythmic hot AC sibling WMOV "MOViN 107.7" falters by one-half share (2.7 – 2.2, 6+) to slide from seventh to eighth. For the third straight sweep, Max Broadcast Group Norfolk stations are no longer Nielsen Audio subscribers. With data cited from the June 2016 ratings period, they are classic hits-oldies WVBW (#3, 6.0); country WGH-FM (5.0, #7); CHR WVHT (#9, 3.8); sports WVSP (#12, 2.3); and gospel WGH-AM (#15, 1.9).

7) Nashville – The two loftiest (6+) August 2016 – September 2016 increases from the 12 PPM-markets in this overview can be found in Nashville (and a +1.3 by Raleigh's WDCG, see above). Not only does Cumulus Media-owned WGFX trot out a whopping +1.4 (4.0 – 5.4, 6+), "104.5 The Zone" rockets into the top ten (#12 to #6). A gain of two-tenths in August by Midwest Communications' adult contemporary WJXA "Mix 92.9" pulled the plug on seven straight downward trends (15.6 – 10.7 – 10.2 – 9.7 – 9.6 – 9.1 – 8.3 – 8.2, 6+) that yielded a net loss since the "Holiday" 2015 report of -7.4. "Mix" piles on another +1.3 to 9.7 (6+) and is #1 for the 55th consecutive ratings period. The eight-tenths' advantage it had over (runner-up) iHeartMedia CHR WRVW "The River" (7.6 – 7.7, +.1, 6+) in August expands to two full-shares. In 2.3 – 2.8 range (6+) the past six survey periods, Educational Media Foundation contemporary Christian WLVU "K-LOVE" (unchanged at #15) rolls out a +.6 to 3.0, its strongest 6+-stat since February (3.1). Seven-tenths isn't lucky for the three outlets that decline by that margin: Cumulus Media's WSM-FM "Nash Icon" (5.9, third to fourth, 6+); co-owned WWTN "Super Talk 99.7" (5.2, seventh to ninth, 6+); and Midwest Communications' adult hits WCJK "Jack FM" (5.4, fifth to sixth, 6+). In June, "Nash Icon" registered its strongest-ever 6+-PPM stat (5.9); added a +1.4 to 7.3 in July; but was -.7 in August. "Super Talk 99.7" was +1.3 in August and had been up or flat the past three monthlies (4.1 – 4.6 – 4.6 – 5.9, 6+); "Jack FM" faltered by seven-tenths in August. After recording a +.6 enabling it to reach a five-share (6+) for the first time in its PPM-history (5.0, 6+, August 2016), public WPLN forfeits that gain in its entirety and exits the top ten (#9 to #11). Without a decrease the past three ratings periods (3.7 – 4.0 – 4.0 – 4.2, 6+), Cromwell alternative WBUZ "102.9 The Buzz" surrenders the combined one-half share gain and returns to 3.7 (6+, #11 to #12, 6+). Slipping from #17 to #18, Nashville Public Radio classical outlet WFCL (1.6, -.1, 6+) has its string of successive positive trends end at three (.7 – .9 – 1.2 – 1.7, 6+).

8) Greensboro – While the net difference of the 6+-share of WQMG between January 2016 and August 2016 is just -.1 (8.2 versus 8.1, 6+), the path there has been quite noteworthy. Specifically, there have been three straight increases totaling +2.5, followed by three successive decreases (including a massive -1.3 in August) yielding a -2.6. The Entercom-owned urban AC answers back in September with a +1.1 to 9.2 (6+) and "The Best R&B and Old School" climbs from second to third. In advance of a June decrease, WQMG had a cumulative increase of three full-shares via six consecutive up or flat monthlies (7.7 – 7.7 – 8.2 – 9.1 – 9.3 – 9.7 – 10.7, 6+). Whereas 10.7 was its strongest 6+-showing since November 2014 (10.7), the 8.1 (6+) in August is its weakest since "Holiday" 2015 (7.7). After July's loss of seven-tenths, a market facility with similar call letters – iHeartMedia adult contemporary WMAG – eroded by an additional one-half share in August, but rebounds in September with a gain of seven-tenths (8.0 – 7.3 – 6.8 – 7.5, 6+), inching up from fifth to fourth. Sandwiching a June 4.8 (6+) between 4.7 shares (6+) in May and July, CHR sibling WMKS "100.3 Kiss FM The Triad's Hit Music Station" (sixth to fifth) explodes with a combined +1.8 between August and September to 6.5, its strongest 6+-showing since August 2015 (6.9). The combination of a third straight improvement by Entercom rhythmic CHR WJMH "102 Jamz" (8.6 – 9.8 – 10.0 – 10.1, 6+) and back-to-back declines by adult hits cluster-mate WSMW "Simon" (10.9 – 10.5 – 8.7, 6+) results in "102 Jamz" marching from second to first and "Simon" skidding from the top spot (which it held in June, July, and August) to third. The -1.8 by "Simon" is the steepest 6+ August 2016 – September 2016 decline by any station in the 12 PPM-markets whose data was released on Thursday. "Simon" achieved double-digits three times previously (10.7, 10.5, and 10.1), but 10.9 in July was the best-ever 6+-stat in its PPM-history. Despite a one-half share dip, iHeartMedia's WTQR "New Country Q-104.1" (7.0 – 6.5, fourth to fifth, 6+) has a 1.9-share lead over its rival – Entercom-owned WPAW "93.1 The Wolf" (4.5 – 4.6, +.1, steady at #7, 6+) – which is in 4.2 – 4.8 range (6+) for the eighth straight time. This marks the seventh successive sweep that Curtis Media Group regional Mexican WYMY "La Ley 101" is either (modestly) down or flat (2.6 – 2.6 – 2.4 – 2.3 – 2.3 – 2.3 – 2.3 – 2.0, 6+). Moreover, it finishes at #11 as it has in each of those survey periods.

9) West Palm Beach – Not only does WRMF repeat at #1, it does so with an exclamation point of back-to-back spikes of +.8 in August and a +1.1 in September, elevating the Alpha Media hot AC to 9.1, its strongest 6+-stat since February's 9.3. WRMF fell to second in July, after 23 successive sweeps at #1. In June, WRMF gained three-tenths to end four successive decreases yielding a cumulative -2.2 (9.5 – 9.3 – 8.2 – 8.1 – 7.3, 6+). Completely erasing August's -.7, iHeartMedia classic rock WKGR "Gater 98.7" moves from fifth to fourth (4.9 – 4.2 – 4.9, +.7, 6+). Bettering their August stats by six-tenths each are CHR cluster-mate WLDI "WiLD 95.5" (seventh to fifth, 6+) and talk sibling WZZR (2.1 – 2.7, #12 to #9, 6+). This is the sixth successive up or flat monthly for WLDI (2.8 – 3.3 – 3.9 – 3.9 – 3.9 – 3.9 – 4.5, 6+) and first time it has reached the four-share level (6+) since October 2014 (4.4). Sharp fluctuations continue for co-owned adult contemporary WOLL "Today's Kool 105.5" (unchanged at #3), whose last three moves have been by +1.5 in July; -1.0 in August; and -.8 in September (6.0 – 7.5 – 6.5 – 5.7, 6+). The 7.5 in July was its highest 6+-stat since 7.7 in April 2015. Following three straight improvements that nearly doubled its 6+-share (1.2 – 1.3 – 1.5 – 2.2, 6+), talk WFTL returns August's +.7 (1.5, -.7, 6) and skids from #11 to #13.

10) Jacksonville – It is a short (one month) stay at #1 for Cox Media Group-owned CHR WAPE "Jacksonville's #1 Hit Music Station" as it sputters by seven-tenths to 8.6 (6+), while Renda Broadcasting adult contemporary WEJZ "Lite 96.1 – Today's Variety" improves by one-half share to 9.4 (6+). "Lite 96" rebounds from a robust -1.3 in August returning to the top (from #2) as WAPE (+.5 in August) shifts from first to third. Following back-to-back #2 performances, WAPE regressed by eight-tenths in June but answered with a +.9 in July. A fluctuation of 1.3 is familiar to "Lite" as it was -1.3 in June but shook it off with a +.8 in July. Prior to August, "Lite" had been #1 the previous nine sweeps and in fact, before dropping to #2 in November 2015, it was on top the previous 17 sweeps; 9.4 in June was its lowest 6+-share since December's 9.2. Without a decrease going into August in three straight sweeps for a +1.5 (7.4 – 8.2 – 8.2 – 8.9, 6+) and notching its best-ever (6+) PPM-era stat (July's 8.9), Cox Media Group classic hits-oldies WJGL lost one-tenth. "96.9 The Eagle," however, responds in September with a +.5 (8.9 – 8.8 – 9.3, 6+) and climbs from third to second. Moreover, it is the first time in its PPM-history that "The Eagle" has crossed the nine-share threshold (6+). Three consecutive (May – June – July) improvements gave Renda Broadcasting's WGNE a combined +1.2 (4.9 – 5.7 – 5.9 – 6.1, 6+), but "99 Gator Country" surrendered virtually all that gain in August (6.1 – 5.0, -1.1, 6+) only to post a +.7 to 4.3 (6+) in September; it remains at #8. Owing to three consecutive declines (5.7 – 4.1 – 3.8 – 3.3, 6+), iHeartMedia adult hits WWJK "107.3 Jack-FM" erodes by -2.4 and falls from #11 to #12.

12) Hartford – On top for 23 of the last 24 sweeps – including the past 15 – CBS Radio adult contemporary WRCH "Lite 100.5" falters by a stunning -1.1 (10.4 – 9.3, 6+) and drops to second-place. "Lite" had been in double-digits (6+) the past 13 ratings periods but it has its softest 6+-showing since August 2015, when it recorded an 8.7. A +.3 in April halted a three-month slide that resulted in a combined decline of nearly seven shares (17.8 – 12.1 – 11.9 – 11.0, 6+). Taking over at the top is iHeartMedia-owned WWYZ "Country 92-5," which ironically is down four-tenths (to 9.7, 6+) thus curtailing five straight positive or flat monthlies (7.2 – 7.9 – 7.9 – 9.0 – 9.5 – 10.1, 6+). "Country 92-5" was up nearly three full-shares since March and had been in the runner-up slot the past three sweeps. Gaining seven-tenths each and remaining at fifth and sixth, respectively, are co-owned classic hits-oldies WHCN-FM "105.9 The River" (6.6 – 7.3, 6+) and CBS Radio hot AC WTIC-FM (6.3 – 7.0, 6+). It is the best 6+-stat for "The River" since March (7.9). Even though it remains at #11, Connoisseur Media talker WDRC-AM registers a +.1 (to .5) and ends four straight reports without an increase (.8 – .7 – .6 – .4 – .4, 6+).